As everyone out there knows, GM did a wonderful job with their chrome wheels. (note the sarcasm) Now they have fired the company that supplied said wheels (no kidding). Now that I am babbling, my question.

Does anyone know if pitted chrome on your wheels is covered under warranty? I have only 9200 miles on my C6 and the chrome is pitted at the corners of where the spoke meets the outer rim. I can't imagine this not being covered, but I am now stationed in Mississippi and most dealerships around here haven't even seen a corvette, much less worked on one. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Since GM hasn't supplied chrome wheels yet for the C6 a GM warranty can't apply. Find out what aftermarket company chromed the wheels and see what their warranty is,

 

If you do in fact have polished wheels, the pitting you may be noting is from small debris that get bashed into the sides of the spokes during rotation. This is only going to be noticed on the forward facing half of each spoke since the dirt particles get knocked off and hit the spoke as it rotates forward. If this is the case, simply polish it back out. Use gradually less abrasive sandpaper with lots of water....600, 1000, 1200, 1500, 2000...

 

Corvette NEVER had a factory OEM chrome wheel until last month. Becareful who you blame. It is not warranty, because it is not GM's chrome.

 

I thought you're not supposed to polish those becasue they have a clear coat?

 

I thought you're not supposed to polish those becasue they have a clear coat?

 

OK OK OK, geez. Yes these are the polished aluminum wheels, not chrome. If they were aftermarket, I would have contacted the company I bought them from.

As far as the repolishing goes, how does one do that?? I noticed the grit count for the various steps, but how much water or how hard do you need to sand??

Also if anyone else has any idea if the pitted wheels would be covered by warranty (although the great explanation on the road debris chips makes a ton of sense. Thank you, I had not thought of that.) I would appreciate any other useful advice.



And just for the record, I am aware of who to blame. I am very happy with my Corvette, don't think that I am not. The polished aluminum wheels have received a lot of flak for poor quality as far as milky finish, poor shine, many defects under "clear coat?", and now mine were pitting. And yes GM did get rid of the company that was supplying these to them so obviously they did not meet GM's satisfaction either.

 

Now that you 'fessed up to NOT having chrome,let's see what we can do. You have a clear coat on the polished wheels. This MUST be stripped off prior to polishing or it'll just load your grinding media. You can get "aircraft paint stripper" that you apply with a crummy paint brush. You must be careful as it'll strip paint from everything. It is available @ True Value or Home Depot stores. You'll need gloves too as it isn't very nice on skin. Since it's acidic,it'll burn your forarms! It'll get your attention after a while! Once you get the clear coat off (follow the directions on the can.) you can begin to bring the true mirrorlike finish to your wheels. You're going to need approx 2 six packs of your favorite beer. Plan on spending some time on these (unless you have access to compressed air and a RODAC polisher.) Once you get the polishing done,you'll need to coat them with another clear coating. Look for the most durable,non-yellowing clear coat available. It is only a matter of time before you'll have to go through this whole production all over again! One other thing,use "MOTHER'S" on your final polishing compound as this is the only media that reduces "fogging." DO NOT USE CORN STARCH TO REMOVE THE POLISHING COMPOUND AS IT WILL CAUSE FINE SCRATCHES. (You want 'em perfect-right?) These babys will come out like mirrors! It's a lot of work,though.

 

Norty,
I do have access to compressed air, I guess I'll have to buy some form polisher. How difficult is it to re-clear the wheels. This is something I have never done before, nor have I painted a car, so that will be new to me. Any techniques or advice on how to clear them? Also will the stripping agent harm the rubber in the tires or the brakes? It may be a silly question, but you take the wheels off to do this right? Any other techniques or advice you have would be greatly appreciated. Also do you use MOTHER's "on" your final polishing compound, or "as" your final polishing compound. Not trying to be a smartass, I just want to make sure I understand all of this since its all new to me. Oh and what's a RODAC? Is that an orbital buffer, or one of those "power ball buffer things?" Thanks

 

Why not just get your wheels chromed now?

 

As had already said you simply sand the area (clear paint too) starting with the grit sandpaper I already showed. You do not have to strip the entire wheel of its clearcoat. Keep sanding with finer and finer sandpapaer until the shine matches and then respray the clear with duplicolor clear. It comes out perfect.

 

This sounds like a pretty big DIY job, and not sure that I'd be happy with my own work. I'd be tempted to find a good shop and have THEM strip, polish, and recoat the wheels. Anyone know a typical price for that?